Gaming machine having a curved display

ABSTRACT

A system includes a display device including a display surface configured to display a graphic and including an opening. The system also includes a peripheral device mounted within the opening of the display surface, and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory device, which when executed, cause the processor to at least: display the graphic on the display surface of the display device adjacent to the peripheral device, whereby the graphic is displayed at least partially in association with the peripheral device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation and claims the benefit of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/333,614, filed on Oct. 25, 2016, which is acontinuation-in-part and claims the benefit of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/145,752, filed on Dec. 31, 2013, and now issued as U.S. Pat.No. 9,478,097, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments described herein relate generally to gaming machinesand, more particularly, to systems and methods for providing a game ofchance on a curved video display.

Conventional gaming machines include one or more displays, such as aCRT, LCD, or touch screen displays. With advances in graphics processingcapabilities of gaming machines, multiple video displays are becomingmore common. These multiple video displays typically include a main gamedisplay, a secondary display and a player interface that enables theplayer to communicate with the gaming machine. The player interface isusually located on the main game display or coupled to the front of acabinet of the gaming machine. Through the use of the player interface,the player can make wagers, enable pay lines, cash-out accumulatedcredits, prompt a play of the game or make inter-game selections. Gamingmachines also include bill/card/voucher acceptors for accepting and/orvalidating cash bills, coupons, and ticket vouchers. Thesebill/card/voucher acceptors may also be enabled to accept playeridentification cards used in rewards/loyalty programs through whichplayers are enrolled to obtain promotions. These promotions may bethings such as gifts, meals or cash back to the player based upon theplayers wagering activities tracked via presentment of the playeridentification card.

With multiple displays on a gaming machine, each display is separatelyconfigured, wired, and controlled. Thus, it is difficult to render aunified image across two or more displays which are separated or dividedby a physical barrier between them. However, using a single, large LCDdisplay presents issues regarding placement and tilting of the display,for example, while accommodating a touch screen or gesture based playerinterface and at the same time providing a unified view. The largedisplay is flat and must be arranged to present touch screen buttons foruse by the player at the lower extremity while at the same timepositioning the top of the display at a location that is easily viewedby the player. For example, the content for a large video display mayrequire a player to constantly re-focus between the content at the topof the display which is further away versus the content which is nearerat the middle and bottom of the display, which may lead to additionalfatigue of the player. Thus, to avoid player fatigue, this arrangementresults in a compromise, separate displays, and/or a horizontallyarranged player interface/button deck.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a system is provided. The system includes a displaydevice including a display surface configured to display a graphic andincluding an opening. The system also includes a peripheral deviceincluding a camera and mounted within the opening of the displaysurface, and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in amemory device, which when executed, cause the processor to at least:display the graphic on the display surface of the display deviceadjacent to the peripheral device, whereby the graphic is displayed atleast partially in association with the peripheral device.

In another aspect, a method is provided. The method includes receiving,by a processor of a display device, a user input to operate a peripheraldevice mounted at least partially within a display surface of thedisplay device. The method also includes controlling, by the processor,the display device to display a graphic adjacent to and in associationwith the peripheral device, the graphic related to operating theperipheral device.

In yet another aspect, a system is provided. The system includes adisplay device including a display surface that includes a cutout. Thesystem also includes a peripheral device mounted at least partiallywithin the cutout of the display surface, whereby the peripheral deviceis visible to and accessible by a user of the system. In addition, thesystem includes a processor configured to execute instructions stored ina memory device, which when executed, cause the processor to at least:display a flowing graphic on the display surface of the display deviceadjacent to and at least partially around the peripheral device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming machine accordingto the prior art;

FIG. 2 is schematic diagram of another exemplary gaming machineaccording to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming machine with a curveddisplay;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary electricalarchitecture that may be used with the gaming machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming system thatincludes a plurality of gaming machines shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart that illustrates an exemplary method forpresenting a game on a gaming machine shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for use in enabling a gameof chance to be displayed on a curved video display are describedherein. Such embodiments provide a monolithic, integrated display panelthat enables dynamic edge-to-edge graphics that flow around peripheraldevice to be achieved.

Exemplary technical effects of systems and methods described hereininclude at least one of: (a) displaying, on a portion of a curved videodisplay adjacent to a cutout surrounding a peripheral device coupled toa cabinet of a gaming machine, a first graphic prior to an activation ofthe peripheral device; (b) identifying a triggering event that activatesthe peripheral device; and (c) displaying, on the portion of the curvedvideo display adjacent to the cutout, a second graphic after theperipheral device is activated.

With reference to FIG. 1, a prior art gaming machine 100 is shown.Gaming machine 100 includes a cabinet 102 configured to house aplurality of components, such as a gaming machine controller, peripheraldevices, presentation devices, and player interaction devices. Forexample, in an exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes aplurality of input devices, such as switches and/or buttons 104 that arecoupled to a front 106 of cabinet 102. Buttons 104 may be used to startplay of a primary or secondary game. One button 104 may be a “Bet One”button that enables the player to place a bet or to increase a bet.Another button 104 may be a “Bet Max” button that enables the player tobet a maximum permitted wager. Yet another button 104 may be a “CashOut” button that enables the player to receive a cash payment or othersuitable form of payment, such as a ticket or voucher, which correspondsto a number of remaining credits.

As shown in FIG. 1, gaming machine 100 also includes a coin acceptor 108for accepting coins and/or tokens, and a bill acceptor 110 for acceptingand/or validating cash bills, coupons, and/or ticket vouchers 112. Billacceptor 110 may also be capable of printing and accepting tickets 112(e.g., ticket vouchers). Furthermore, in some embodiments, bill acceptor110 includes a card reader or validator for use with credit cards, debitcards, identification cards, and/or smart cards. The cards accepted bybill acceptor 110 may include a magnetic strip and/or a preprogrammedmicrochip that includes a player's identification, credit totals, andany other relevant information that may be used.

Gaming machine 100 further includes a video display 114 mounted to besubstantially vertical within cabinet 102. Video display 114 may includea plasma display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a display based onlight emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs),polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs), and/or surface-conductionelectron emitters (SEDs). Contained within cabinet 102 is a gamecontroller (not shown) that controls video display 114 to display gamecontent.

With reference now to FIG. 2, another prior art gaming machine 200 isshown. Gaming machine 200 includes a cabinet 202 mounting a main videodisplay 204 shown as a flat screen LCD, plasma, or touch screen display.Above main video display 204 is a secondary video display 206, whichlikewise is a flat screen LCD or plasma display. A mounting bezel 208divides main display 204 from secondary display 206. A player interface,shown as a button panel 210, mounts a plurality of input buttons 212through which a player controls an operation of a game. Below main videodisplay 204 is an interface module 214 for interfacing with gamingmachine 200, and a system interface display 216 for displaying systemprovided information (e.g., casino wide information and playerpoints/comp data) to a player.

However, the arrangements of the video displays shown in FIGS. 1 and 2result in certain drawbacks such as expense of providing multipledisplays, separate wiring and harnessing, as well as the problem ofproviding the display of content to the player with large LCD/plasmadisplays without causing player fatigue or compromising the playingexperience.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a gaming machine 300 is shown. Gaming machine 300includes a cabinet 302 having mounted thereon a curved video display304. Disposed within cabinet 302 are the electronics necessary tooperate display 304, any user interfaces, as well as computer processorsrequired to operate gaming machine 300. Curved video display 304 isconvexly curved, and at its lower portion, presents a player interface306 proximate a middle portion (e.g., a main display 308) and at anupper portion (e.g., a secondary display 310). Curved video display 304may be a flexible film display, such as a color OLED display. Curvedvideo display 304 may be a single flexible OLED display or a pluralityof flexible displays configured to present a continuous curvature fromplayer interface 306 to secondary display 310. In one embodiment, curvedvideo display 304 may be a single display that includes separatecontiguous elements. In another embodiment, one or more rear projectorsproject images directly on curved video display 304.

As shown in FIG. 3, curved video display 304 is curved convexly todefine a continuous arc about, for example, a focus point (not shown).The focus point may be proximate a position of the eyes of an averagesized user/player or above and behind the player such that playerinterface 306 and main display 308 are positioned as desired. Curvedvideo display 304 could likewise be curved but defined by a plurality offoci inasmuch as curved video display 304 is flexible. For example,curved video display 304 may be curved as needed to best integrate thefunctions of player interface 306, main display 308, and secondarydisplay 310. In one embodiment, curved video display 304 may be activelycontrolled to adjust its shape in real time based on a triggering event,such as, player input, a particular game being displayed, playercharacteristics (e.g., a height of a player), gaming events, and thelike.

In one embodiment, player interface 306 enables a player to interactwith a game presented on main display 308 and/or secondary display 310by enabling player to place a wager, select pay lines, pick a bonusoption, initiate a bonus, and the like, main display 308 displays aprimary game, and secondary display 310 displays a secondary game (e.g.,a bonus game). While player interface 306, main display 308, andsecondary display 310 are shown in FIG. 3 with a separation therebetween, in one embodiment, player interface 306 may extend to maindisplay 308, and main display 308 may extend to secondary display 310.In one embodiment, player interface 306 may be positioned above or to aside of main display 308. In another embodiment, curved video display304 may be configured by a player (either manually, or automaticallybased upon some stored preferences) to adjust a size and location ofplayer interface 306, main display 308, secondary display 310, as wellas other display elements, such as credits, player inputs, rules of agame, an amount wagered, and the like.

In one embodiment, player interface 306 is positioned before the playerin a ‘portrait mode’. As used herein, portrait mode refers to astructural configuration of gaming machine 300 where player interface306 is positioned such that a longer axis of player interface 306 issubstantially vertical whereas a shorter axis of player interface 306 issubstantially horizontal. In another embodiment, player interface 306 ispositioned before the player in a ‘landscape mode’. As used herein,landscape mode refers to a structural configuration of gaming machine300 where player interface 306 is positioned such that a longer axis ofplayer interface 306 is substantially horizontal whereas a shorter axisof player interface 306 is substantially vertical.

Player interface 306 is configured to have a touch screen or gesturebased interface. In one embodiment, main display 308 and secondarydisplay 310 are also configured to have a touch screen or gesture basedinterface). The touch screen interface may be any touch sensitive inputdevice such as resistive, surface acoustic wave, capacitive (includingsurface capacitance and projected capacitance), force panel technology,and/or optical imaging. Player interface 306 may include a virtualbutton deck (not shown) that is coordinated with the input capabilitiesof a touch and/or gesture driven sensing used to sense player input. Bytouching or making the requisite gesture at a button, the player caninterface with the game operated on gaming machine 300 such as making awager, selecting the pay lines to wager upon, selecting bonus options,cashing out or selecting a denomination for play. In a relatedembodiment, player interface 306 may include other input and outputdevices including, without limitation, a touchpad, a touchscreen, ajoystick, a trackball, a microphone, speakers, a camera, one or morebiometric sensors, and any multiples and/or combinations of theabovementioned devices.

Secondary display 310 may display game graphics, the pay table for thegame or other information. Further, during the play of the game the,main display 308 and secondary display 310 may act as a single displayfor bonus features, to display advertising or other information, or todisplay video or graphics as desired by the operator. Inasmuch as thereis no physical barrier between player interface 306, main display 308,and secondary display 310, content can extend uninterrupted between allthree display areas. For example, displayed content may encompass playerinterface 306, main display 308, and secondary display 310 such as byshowing video or graphics when gaming machine 300 is in an attract mode.For example, when gaming machine 300 is not in use, the entire display304 may be used to display video and graphics such as advertising orvideo programming.

Curved video display 304 further includes one or more physical cutouts316 that enable physical peripherals to be integrated seamlessly withincurved video display 304. For example, cutout 316 enables a player toaccess a peripheral device 318 (e.g., a bill acceptor, a ticket voucheracceptor, a printer, a barcode scanner, a camera, and a playeridentification card reader) coupled to/embedded in cabinet 302. Thenumber, positions, shapes, and sizes of cutouts 316 may vary as they maydepend on specifications for a particular game, installation, orperipheral device requirements. In addition, cutout 316 also enables adisplay of graphics on curved video display 304 to extend up to and/orsurrounding peripheral device 318. Graphics (e.g., static images,animations, messages) that “wrap around” cutout 316 can be controlled toturn on and off at appropriate times. In one embodiment, the graphicsthat are adjacent to cutout 316 are “peripheral-related” in that theyprovide a user with user-friendly graphics, time dependent graphics, andgraphics that are sensitive to the context of a particular event, whichmay overlay the specific areas of curved video display 304 as a functionof game events or of user's inputs. As such, curved video display 304 isa monolithic, integrated display panel that enables dynamic edge-to-edgegraphics that flow around peripheral device 318 to be achieved.

In another embodiment, peripheral device 318 is part of a mounting bezel(similar to mounting bezel 208) that attaches directly to curved videodisplay 304. In this embodiment, curved video display includes no cutoutand rather interconnects with peripheral device 318 directly via themounting bezel. More specifically, only one edge of curved video displayis in contact with peripheral device 318 (rather than surroundingperipheral device 318 as in the embodiment described earlier using thecutout).

In a related embodiment, player interface 306 is a separate bezel(either physical or virtual) that is not part of curved video display304 but attaches directly to an edge of curved video display 304 (e.g.directly below, above, to the left, or to the right of curved videodisplay 304 while being communicatively coupled to curved video display304). Some portion of player interface 306 may function as a virtualbezel that is reserved (e.g., for displaying graphics) while anotherportion holds peripheral device 318. In yet another embodiment, curvedvideo display 304, when in landscape mode, acquires a curvilinearorientation around a player, with the mounting bezel and one or moreperipheral devices 318 also placed in a curvilinear orientation aroundthe player as well. Additionally, one or more peripheral devices 318 arecollinear with the bottom edge of the screen.

For example, prior to a player inserting money/voucher into peripheraldevice 318, graphics, such as an animated arrow pointing to peripheraldevice 318, may be displayed adjacent to peripheral device 318,directing the player where money/voucher should be inserted. Thereafter,once the player inserts the money/voucher into peripheral device 318, agraphic surrounding a perimeter of cutout 316 may be initiated. Forexample, an animated avatar may appear next to peripheral device 318that says “Hello there, welcome to casino XYZ! Don't forget to swipeyour player tracking card to get the double promotion we have today!”The display of graphics adjacent to peripheral device 318 enablesperipheral device 318 to “talk” to a player in any language and “lightup” in any color to indicate the peripheral event (cash in, cash out,card swipe, and the like) because the bezels (virtual bezels) are nowpart of an interactive screen (e.g., player interface 306).

In another example, a user may have just won a bonus (e.g., a ticket toa show), and peripheral device 318 is printing out an appropriatevoucher. Discrete graphics (e.g., flashing arrows) may thus be generatedand overlaid around peripheral device 318 (e.g., a printer (virtual)bezel's opening). In addition, interactive graphics may be used. Forexample, a character may appear to jump out of his symbol in a gamebeing played on main display 308, walk over to a “SPIN” button on playerinterface 306, and demand the player to push the button.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a schematic block diagram of an exemplaryelectrical architecture 400 that may be used with gaming machine 300 isshown. In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 300 includes a gamingmachine controller 402 having a processor 404 communicatively coupled toa memory area 406. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, processor 404and memory area 406 reside within cabinet 302 (shown in FIG. 3) and maybe collectively referred to herein as a “computer” or “controller.”Gaming machine 300 is configurable and/or programmable to perform one ormore operations described herein by programming processor 404. Forexample, processor 404 may be programmed by encoding an operation as oneor more executable instructions and providing the executableinstructions in memory area 406.

Controller 402 may communicate with one or more other gaming machines orother suitable devices via a communication interface 408. Communicationinterface 408 may operate as an input device (e.g., by receiving datafrom another device) and/or as an output device (e.g., by transmittingdata to another device). Processor 404 may be a microprocessor, amicrocontroller-based platform, a suitable integrated circuit, and/orone or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). However,the above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended tolimit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term “processor.”

Memory area 406 stores program code and instructions, executable byprocessor 404, for controlling gaming machine 300. For example, memoryarea 406 stores data such as image data, event data, player input data,random or pseudo-random number generation software, pay table data,trigger event conditions, game play events, game play outcomes, and/orother information or applicable game rules that relate to game play ongaming machine 300. Moreover, memory area 406 may include one or moreforms of memory. For example, memory area 406 can include random accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, and/or electricallyerasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). In some embodiments,other suitable magnetic, optical, and/or semiconductor-based memory maybe included in memory area 406 by itself or in combination. In oneembodiment, the above data and program code and instructions, executableby processor 404 for enabling a player to execute a plurality of inputsusing player interface 306 (shown in FIG. 3) may be stored and executedfrom a memory area remote from computing device gaming machine 300. Forexample, the data and the computer-executable instructions may be storedin a cloud service, a database, or other memory area accessible bygaming machine 300. Such embodiments reduce the computational andstorage burden on gaming machine 300. As such, memory area 406 may be alocal and/or a remote computer storage media including memory storagedevices.

Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment, curved video display 304 (shown inFIG. 3) is controlled by controller 402. In some embodiments, one ormore of player interface 306, main display 308 and secondary display 310(shown in FIG. 3) is a touch screen associated with a touch screencontroller 412. In one embodiment, the touch screen capability of playerinterface 306, main display 308, and secondary display 310 may be turnedon and off by touch screen controller 412 based on a type of game beingplayed, a game/information being displayed, a user preference, and othertriggering events. A video controller 414 is communicatively coupled tocontroller 402 and touch screen controller 412 to enable a player toinput game play decisions (e.g., actions) into gaming machine 300.Furthermore, gaming machine 300 includes one or more communication ports410 that enable controller 402 to communicate with external peripheraldevices (not shown) such as, but not limited to, external video sources,expansion buses, other displays, a SCSI port, or a key pad.

FIG. 5 is a block schematic diagram of an exemplary gaming system 500that includes a plurality of gaming machines 300 (shown in FIG. 3). Eachgaming machine 300 is coupled via communication interface 408 (shown inFIG. 4) to one or more servers, such as a gaming server 502, using anetwork 504. Gaming server 502 includes a processor (not shown) thatfacilitates data communication between each gaming machine 300 and othercomponents of gaming system 500. Such data is stored in, for example, amemory area 506, such as a database, that is coupled to gaming server502.

In one embodiment, one or more gaming machines 300 may be remote gamingmachines that access a casino over network 504. In this embodiment, itwill be understood that a player operating a remote gaming machine hasvirtual access to any casino coupled to network 504 and associated withgaming server 502. While each of gaming machines 300 may beterminal-based machines, wherein the actual games, including randomnumber generation and/or outcome determination, are performed at gamingserver each of gaming machine 300, gaming system 500 enables gamingserver 502 to perform each of the these functions for gaming machines300. In such an embodiment, gaming machines 300 display results of agame via curved video display 304 (shown in FIG. 3). Gaming server 502may also perform a plurality of other functions including, for example,game outcome generation, executing a game play event for a player, gamedisplay functions, player tracking functions, and/or accountingfunctions, to name a few. However, in alternative embodiments, gamingsystem 500 may include a plurality of servers that separately performthese functions and/or any suitable function for use in a network-basedgaming system.

In addition, gaming server 502 may also track data of players usinggaming machines 300. For example, gaming server 502 can store physicalcharacteristics of players, such as, but not limited to, a gender of aplayer and an age of a player. Gaming server 502 can also track andstore other data related to the players using player trackingidentification, such as a player card. For example, gaming server 502can store information about a player, such as loyalty points, playeraddress, phone number, and/or any information that may be retrieved andtransmitted to gaming machines 300. In some embodiments, gaming server502 stores and tracks information such as, but not limited to, anaverage amount of a wager played at gaming machines 300, any funds aplayer may have in an account, as well as data relating to reportableevents.

With reference now to FIG. 6, a flowchart that illustrates an exemplarymethod 600 for use with gaming machine 300 (shown in FIG. 3) and gamingsystem 500 (shown in FIG. 5) is provided. Operations in method 600 maybe performed by one or more gaming machines 300, by gaming server 502,and/or by any other computing device or combination thereof. Inexemplary embodiments, and referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, curved videodisplay 304 includes one or more cutouts 316 that enable physicalperipherals to be integrated seamlessly within curved video display 304.For example, cutout 316 enables a player to access a peripheral device318 (e.g., a bill acceptor, a ticket voucher acceptor, a printer, abarcode scanner, a camera, and a player identification card reader)coupled to/embedded in cabinet 302. In addition, cutout 316 also enablesa display of graphics on curved video display 304 to extend up to and/orsurrounding peripheral device 318. Graphics (e.g., static images,animations, messages) that “wrap around” cutout 316 can be controlled toturn on and off at appropriate times. In one embodiment, the graphicsthat are adjacent to cutout 316 are “peripheral-related” in that theyprovide a user with user-friendly graphics, time dependent graphics, andgraphics that are sensitive to the context of a particular event, whichmay overlay the specific areas of curved video display 304 as a functionof game events or of user's inputs. As such, curved video display 304 isa monolithic, integrated display panel that enables dynamic edge-to-edgegraphics that flow around peripheral device 318 to be achieved.

With reference back to FIG. 6, at 602, prior to an activation ofperipheral device 318, a first graphic is displayed on a portion ofcurved video display 304 adjacent to cutout 316. In one embodiment, thefirst graphic is a graphic instructing the player to insert one or moreof the following into peripheral device 318: a bill, a voucher, and aplayer identification card. For example, prior to a player insertingmoney/voucher into peripheral device 318, a graphic, such as an animatedarrow pointing to peripheral device 318, may be displayed adjacent toperipheral device 318, directing the player where money/voucher shouldbe inserted.

At 604, a triggering event that activates peripheral device 318 isidentified. In one embodiment, a triggering event may be an insertion ofa bill, a voucher, or a player identification card into peripheraldevice 318. In another embodiment, a triggering event may be a lapse ofa predefined period of time, a player sitting down at gaming machine300, or a player touching curved video display 304. After peripheraldevice 318 is activated, at 606, a second graphic is displayed on aportion of curved video display 304 that is adjacent to cutout 316.Thus, once the player inserts money/voucher into peripheral device 318,a graphic surrounding a perimeter of cutout 316 may be initiated. Forexample, an animated avatar may appear next to peripheral device 318that says “Hello there, welcome to casino XYZ! Don't forget to swipeyour player tracking card to get the double promotion we have today!”The display of graphics adjacent to peripheral device 318 enablesperipheral device 318 to “talk” to a player in any language and “lightup” in any color to indicate the peripheral event (cash in, cash out,card swipe, and the like) because the bezels (virtual bezels) are nowpart of an interactive screen (e.g., player interface 306).

In another example, the triggering event that activates peripheraldevice 318 may be a game event, such as a user winning a bonus (e.g., aticket to a show), and peripheral device 318 is printing out anappropriate voucher. Discrete graphics (e.g., flashing arrows) may thusbe generated and overlaid around peripheral device 318 (e.g., a printer(virtual) bezel's opening). In addition, interactive graphics may beused. For example, a character may appear to jump out of his symbol in agame being played on main display 308, walk over to a “SPIN” button onplayer interface 306, and demand the player to push a button.

The systems and methods described herein are not limited to the specificembodiments described herein but, rather, operations of the methodsand/or components of the system and/or apparatus may be utilizedindependently and separately from other operations and/or componentsdescribed herein. Further, the described operations and/or componentsmay also be defined in, or used in combination with, other systems,methods, and/or apparatus, and are not limited to practice with only thesystems, methods, and storage media as described herein.

A computer, controller, or server, such as those described herein,includes at least one processor or processing unit and a system memory.The computer, controller, or server typically has at least some form ofcomputer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computerreadable media include computer storage media and communication media.Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Communication media typically embodycomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Thoseskilled in the art are familiar with the modulated data signal, whichhas one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manneras to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the aboveare also included within the scope of computer readable media.

Although the present disclosure is described in connection with anexemplary gaming system environment, embodiments of the presentdisclosure are operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose gaming system environments or configurations. The gamingsystem environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to thescope of use or functionality of any aspect of the disclosure. Moreover,the gaming system environment should not be interpreted as having anydependency or requirement relating to any one or combination ofcomponents illustrated in the exemplary operating environment.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described in the generalcontext of computer-executable instructions, such as program componentsor modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Aspectsof the present disclosure may be implemented with any number andorganization of components or modules. For example, aspects of thepresent disclosure are not limited to the specific computer-executableinstructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in thefigures and described herein. Alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure may include different computer-executable instructions orcomponents having more or less functionality than illustrated anddescribed herein.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in theembodiments of the present disclosure illustrated and described hereinis not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operationsmay be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, andembodiments of the present disclosure may include additional or feweroperations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplatedthat executing or performing a particular operation before,contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scopeof aspects of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the term “database” refers generally to anycollection of data including hierarchical databases, relationaldatabases, flat file databases, object-relational databases, objectoriented databases, and any other structured collection of records ordata that is stored in a computer system. The above examples areexemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way thedefinition and/or meaning of the term database. Examples of databasesinclude, but are not limited to only including, Oracle® Database, MySQL,IBM® DB2, Microsoft® SQL Server, Sybase®, PostgreSQL, and SQLite.However, any database may be used that enables the systems and methodsdescribed herein. (Oracle is a registered trademark of OracleCorporation, Redwood Shores, Calif.; IBM is a registered trademark ofInternational Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; Microsoft isa registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.; andSybase is a registered trademark of Sybase, Dublin, Calif.)

When introducing elements of aspects of the present disclosure orembodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising,” including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

The present disclosure uses examples to disclose the best mode, and alsoto enable any person skilled in the art to practice the claimed subjectmatter, including making and using any devices or systems and performingany incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the present disclosureis defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur tothose skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be withinthe scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do notdiffer from the literal language of the claims, or if they includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a display device including adisplay surface, the display surface configured to display a graphic,the display surface including an opening; a peripheral device includinga camera, the peripheral device mounted within the opening of thedisplay surface; and a processor configured to execute instructionsstored in a memory device, which when executed, cause the processor toat least: display the graphic on the display surface of the displaydevice adjacent to the peripheral device, whereby the graphic isdisplayed at least partially in association with the peripheral device.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed,further cause the processor to at least: control the peripheral deviceto perform an operation; and display the graphic on the display surfaceof the display device adjacent to and in association with the peripheraldevice, wherein the graphic is related to the operation performed by theperipheral device.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a secondperipheral device, the second peripheral device mounted within a secondopening of the display surface, wherein the second peripheral deviceincludes one of a second camera, a bill acceptor, a ticket voucheracceptor, a printer, a barcode scanner, or a player identification cardreader.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted, further cause the processor to at least: control the camera tocapture at least one image; display the graphic on the display surfaceof the display device adjacent to and in association with the camera,wherein the graphic is provided in response to capture of the at leastone image.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions, whenexecuted, further cause the processor to at least display the graphic onthe display surface to flow around the peripheral device.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein the display device is a curved video display havinga curved display surface, and wherein the graphic is displayed on thecurved display surface surrounding the peripheral device.
 7. The systemof claim 1, further comprising an electronic gaming machine cabinet thatsupports the display device, and wherein the instructions, whenexecuted, further cause the processor to at least present a wageringgame on the display device.
 8. A method comprising: receiving, by aprocessor of a display device, a user input to operate a peripheraldevice mounted at least partially within a display surface of thedisplay device; and controlling, by the processor, the display device todisplay a graphic adjacent to and in association with the peripheraldevice, the graphic related to operating the peripheral device.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising: controlling, by the processor,the peripheral device to perform an operation; and controlling, by theprocessor, the display device to display the graphic on the displaysurface of the display device adjacent to and in association with theperipheral device, wherein the graphic is responsive to the operationperformed by the peripheral device.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinthe peripheral device is one of a camera, a bill acceptor, a ticketvoucher acceptor, a printer, a barcode scanner, or a playeridentification card reader.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein theperipheral device is a camera, the method further comprising:controlling, by the processor, the camera to capture at least one image;controlling, by the processor, the display device to display the graphicon the display surface of the display device adjacent to and inassociation with the camera, wherein the graphic is provided in responseto capture of the at least one image.
 12. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising controlling, by the processor, the display device to displaythe graphic on the display surface to flow around the peripheral device.13. The method of claim 8, wherein the display device is a curved videodisplay having a curved display surface, the method further comprisingcontrolling, by the processor, the display device to display the graphicon the curved display surface surrounding the peripheral device.
 14. Themethod of claim 8, further comprising controlling, by the processor, thedisplay device to present a wagering game on the display surface of thedisplay device.
 15. A system comprising: a display device including adisplay surface, the display surface including a cutout; a peripheraldevice mounted at least partially within the cutout of the displaysurface, whereby the peripheral device is visible to and accessible by auser of the system; and a processor configured to execute instructionsstored in a memory device, which when executed, cause the processor toat least: display a flowing graphic on the display surface of thedisplay device adjacent to and at least partially around the peripheraldevice.
 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a secondperipheral device mounted at least partially within a second cutout ofthe display surface, whereby the second peripheral device is alsovisible to and accessible by a user of the system.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause theprocessor to at least: control the peripheral device to perform anoperation; and display the flowing graphic on the display surface of thedisplay device adjacent to and in association with the peripheraldevice.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the flowing graphic isprovided based upon the operation performed by the peripheral device.19. The system of claim 15, wherein the display device is a curved videodisplay having a curved display surface, and wherein the flowing graphicis displayed on the curved display surface surrounding the peripheraldevice.
 20. The system of claim 15, further comprising an electronicgaming machine cabinet that supports the display device, and wherein theinstructions, when executed, further cause the processor to at leastpresent a wagering game on the display device.